John Howard dumps Christmas bombshell on emergency support agencies

Housing Minister Candy Broad today said she was appalled by the Federal Government's decision to slash funding to emergency support agencies for homeless people and women and children escaping domestic violence.

Ms Broad said the proposed funding for the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) from the Federal Government was heartless.

SAAP is a joint Commonwealth - State funded program, designed to provide assistance to people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or escaping domestic violence. More than 30,000 Victorians received assistance from emergency support agencies - such as the Salvation Army, Hanover, Melbourne City Mission and Uniting Care - under SAAP funded services last year.

"The heartless Howard Government has cut funds to emergency support agencies in Victoria by almost $6 million next year, or $30 million over five years," Ms Broad said.

Ms Broad said Victoria had already made up for a lack of Commonwealth funds in recent years, including an extra $17 million not matched by the Commonwealth this year alone.

"I am shocked that the Howard Government would turn its back on the most vulnerable people in our community, including many young people and the emergency support agencies that provide assistance to them, jut a few days before Christmas," she said.

Ms Broad said in the few days left before Christmas the Prime Minister should rethink this heartless decision and provide the funding emergency support agencies need to assist our most vulnerable people.